Tuberculosis is a potentially lethal, airborne transmitted disease associated with indigence and poverty. Airborne particles containing TB bacilli can be transmitted when people with TB cough, sneeze or speak. Shelters and rooming houses offer a high potential for TB transmission, especially in the winter when these facilities are more likely to be crowded and inadequately ventilated.  Homeless persons, released from a hospital after two weeks of TB treatment to ensure that they are non-infectious, require 6-9-months of fully supervised housing in a special shelter until therapy is complete and permanent housing is found.

Harmony House TB Recovery Center provides housing and supportive services for up to 12-months with dietician prepared catered meals and on-site case managed supportive services referrals.  Patients enjoy access to the Harmony House Respite Centers’ primary care Medical Clinic, full-time nurse practitioner, pharmacy, licensed dietician, medical appointment transportation, substance abuse and anger management meetings and community supportive services referrals. The TB Recovery Center provides treatment and housing for the homeless, in collaboration with the City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS), Bureau of TB Control, which provides the treatment, Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).

Harmony House Active TB Center

After two weeks of hospitalization, patients may be released by hospitals when they are still infectious. Harmony House Active TB Center, a collaborative effort with the Houston Department of Health and Human Services Tuberculosis (TB) Control Division, provides negative-flow air accommodations for all persons with active TB until they become non-infectious, usually 2-4 weeks after admission. Patients are provided catered meals and medical services in a very restricted environment, with each patient housed in an individual negative air-flow room.